LEED Platinum-certified New Balance World Headquarters raises the bar for indoor environmental quality

The recently completed New Balance World Headquarters just earned LEED Platinum certification , and it's the first building of its kind in the U.S. to earn points in indoor environmental quality under the USGBC rating system. The building was designed by Elkus Manfredi Architects, who worked in collaboration with Transwestern and John Moriarty Associates to deliver a remarkable, energy-efficient design using sustainable construction techniques, regionally-sourced materials and water-conserving plumbing.

The 250,000-square-foot building is the first facility in the United States to achieve all possible credits in the Indoor Environmental Quality category under the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) v2009 Core and Shell rating system. There are only two other buildings in the world that have achieved this level of efficiency – one in Thailand and one in Italy. The property was developed by Boston Landing as the company’s initial flagship project.

The energy efficient design features ensure 26 percent annual energy cost savings, compared to conventional buildings of the same typology. Efficient plumbing fixtures achieve a 35 percent reduction in water consumption, with around 76 percent of waste was diverted during the construction of the building, with over 28 percent of recycled building materials and 74 percent regionally sourced materials. ““Prioritizing the benefits of exceptional indoor environmental quality is exactly the kind of responsible leadership you’d expect from a company dedicated to health and performance,” said Rick Fedrizzi, CEO and founding chair, USGBC.

The list of project achievements is impressive. It features a 26-percent annual energy cost savings over a standard building, 86 percent reduction in site run-off compared to prior to construction, all of the wood used was Forest Stewardship Council certified and a 30 precent higher ventilation rate than a code complaint building.

According to NB Development Group, “This designation is in keeping with not only the mission of New Balance, but also as the initial flagship project of Boston Landing, it highlights the spirit and energy we envision for this newly emerging district and ongoing commitment to our neighborhood.”